It's surprising how quick people tend to forget about natural disasters after they've occurred. As soon as the consequences are eliminated it seems like things get back to normal and the disaster won't happen ever again. It's even more surprising to see such an attitude in people who live in areas where natural calamities are a common or even a periodic event. There's a feel of carelessness in their attitude when they don't take the hard lessons seriously and don't get prepared for the coming disaster seriously. One of the most common examples of such careless behavior is not insuring one's car against natural disasters. Of course, there are more important things that usually have to be covered such as house or health. Nevertheless, a car is the primary means of transportation in this country and it can be very hard to overcome the consequences of a serious storm, flood, earthquake or tornado without working set of wheels. So how do you protect your car against the damage caused by a natural disaster?

Comprehensive coverage is the most useful thing in car insurance when it comes to dealing with types of damage that aren't caused by a direct collision with a vehicle or someone's property. Typically, comprehensive coverage deals with the damage caused by windstorms, explosions, riots, vandalism, theft, falling trees and other things that cannot be classified as traffic situations. In most cases comprehensive coverage is enough to pay for a totaled car after a serious natural calamity. However, you first have to make sure that the type of damage that was inflicted to your car doesn't make part of the exclusions section. Unfortunately, this happens too often, especially in places where particular disasters are more common.

For example, the insurance companies operating in the infamous Tornado Alley will usually exclude any type of tornado-related damage from the comprehensive policy and will require the customer to purchase a weaver for additional money. Some of you may think that it's a pure rip-off, but you have to look at the situation from the insurer's point of view. Why would they include a particular type of damage into a standard policy if it has nearly a 100% occurrence rate over a short period of time? After all, hundreds and thousands of tornadoes take place each year in the region, causing millions of dollars in losses, and it's the insurer who pays the most in the end. So it's hard to blame them for wanting to earn money in a situation when they are dealing with huge losses on a regular basis.

The example of Tornado Alley can be extrapolated on other regions too. Areas with common floods, earthquakes or windstorms are places where you will certainly face inconvenient exclusions when it comes to car insurance coverage. But is it actually cheaper to avoid purchasing any weavers? Certainly not, as you may end up with your car being totaled and the company not paying you anything because the case made it to the exclusions. Sure, it's not the best way to get cheap car insurance but at least you will keep your car properly insured for all situations. And it's never too late to compare car insurance quotes to see if other companies have something more affordable to offer.

If you've been driving for a while or even if you haven't you probably know that the best way to get low auto insurance quotes is to keep a clean driving record. Unfortunately, that's easier said then done. We all mistakes, and even the most experienced drivers can get into an accident due to a brief lapse in judgement.

One of the biggest causes of automobile accidents is distracted driving. Here are some tips to help you stay focused on the road, and keep your driving record clean.

Leave your phone alone. Texting and driving had been getting a bad rap recently, and it's for god reason. People who text while driving are 23 times more likely to get into an accident. It's impossible to focus on what's ahead when your eyes are looking down at a screen, which makes this a very dangerous habit. Most states have implemented laws against texting and driving, and against talking on a cell phone (unless using a handsfree device).

Avoid eating and drinking. You will be doing yourself a favour if you fill up before heading out in the morning, even if it may seen easier to grab a coffee and a donut at the nearest drive-thru. You need at least one of your hands to eat or drink, leaving you one short on the wheel. This practice also steals some of your attention away from where it belongs on the road.

Let your passenger pick the radio station. Or, at least let them turn the dial to the station you request. Likewise with the heat, volume, and any other buttons or knobs you might find yourself fiddling with. Your chance of getting into an accident skyrockets at any moment your eyes aren't on the road.

Take breaks. You should ensure that you take regular breaks of at least one break every two hours if you are driving for prolonged period of time. And, pay attention to your body. If you start to feel drowsy or catch yourself nodding off, pull over at the next available rest stop to get refreshed.

Know your route. Or if you don't, have your GPS set up before you start driving. Looking at a map or filling in details on a GPS are both common distractions. If you are lost and need to check directions, make sure you pull over first.

Be prepared. Some distractions are out of your control. An overexcited child in the backseat, for example, or an insect coming in through the window. Even billboards or other accidents can steal your attention away for a moment or two. The key is to always prepared for an unexpected surprise, and train yourself to stay calm and focused. If you do find yourself distracted, simply refocus and keep going. You can't go back in time, but you can try not to make the same mistake twice.

An accident- and ticket-free driving record will help you get the lowest auto insurance quotes available. Protect yourself by making an effort to stay focused and prepared while driving.

While looking for a good rate on your car insurance, make sure that you understand that regular care of your car is essential. Over time cars will begin to show wear and tear and need to be updated, but there are specific areas of the car that should be assessed more often than not. Tire care is one of these areas. When tires begin to wear they can be a direct reason as to why accidents happen as well as possibly injury to you or others, leading to higher insurance costs.

There are a few routine maintenance items that should be done regularly to know if your tires need replacing or improvements on your vehicle. If your tires are in poor condition it can result in not only damage to your alignment, but damage to the axel, undercarriage and frame of the wheels. These repairs are more costly and can affect your car insurance rate negatively.

Repair Damage or Replace

If you have a flat or leak in your tire, inspect the tire to see if there are any gashes, nails, screws or other items that have penetrated the tire and possibly the inside tube. When forging objects penetrated the out rubber only most car care shops can repair the tire and send you on your way. However, if the damage is done to the inner tube, you will need to replace the entire wheel. Another reason to replace your tire is if the tread is worn or weak. A general rule of thumb us when you place a penny in the tread of the tire, the face of the president should be covered by half. When tread wears down on tires it puts the driver at risk for reduced traction and possible blowouts. These have the potential to cause major accidents and bodily harm.

Rotation

Every few months or when you have a change in tires, you should have a tire rotation done. This is to ensure that the tires are worn evenly and not one more significantly than the other. If the tires are not properly rotated the driver runs the risk of getting more wear and tear on some of the tires, but not all. This can be costly as it will result in more tire repair and replacement. Improper tire rotation can also be the cause for poor alignment.

Alignment

When tires are replaced or repaired ensure that an alignment is done properly. Alignments are designed for the wheels to be lined up properly with the steering column. IF this is not executed it can result in improper turns, over shot or corners and possibly accidents. Filing more accident claims can be a surefire way to see your car insurance quotes skyrocket.

Proper maintenance can be sure to decrease the risk you place on yourself and others. To keep car insurance quotes at a minimum always assess the maintenance needs of your car and see a reputable mechanic to make all repairs.

Maybe you're a teenager, and you're ecstatic to finally be the one behind the wheel. On the other hand, maybe you're an adult who just never got around to getting a driver's license when you were young. Or maybe this is your first time owning a car. You've had a license for years and years, but you haven't used it much and don't have any driving history to back you up. In any of these scenarios, you could end up seeing very high auto insurance quotes.

It's true that inexperience makes you a high-risk driver. Unfortunately, that's unavoidable we've all been there at some point in our lives. The good news is, there are other steps you can take to keep your insurance quotes down.

Take a driver's ed class. If you take a defensive driving class, most insurance companies will give you a lower rate. Plus, the extra education will make you a better driver, which decreases your chances of getting into an accident.

Keep your mileage low. If you can, you should walk, bike, or take public transit to and from work. Not only are you helping the environment and saving on gas, but it might help you get lower auto insurance quotes. Most companies offer a low-mileage discount for people who don't use their vehicles very much. If going by foot or public transit isn't an option, see if there's anyone else in your office willing to carpool. That might be enough to decrease your monthly payment.

Check for discounts. Are you a student? Many companies will offer a discount for a high GPA. Affiliated with a fraternity? That might help, too. Different companies offer discounts for a wide variety of reasons, so see what options are around. You might qualify for something surprising and save some money.

Keep clean. This might not help in the short-term, but after a year or two a clean driving record will help you lower the cost of insurance. That means don't get into an accident, and don't get a ticket.

Get a high deductible. This is definitely a give-and-take scenario. By choosing a policy with a high deductible, you will save money on your monthly payments. On the other hand, if you do get into an accident, that means you'll be out-of-pocket for a bigger portion of the bill. And remember, this is true even if the accident isn't your fault. No matter how careful a driver you are, there is still a risk involved.

Shop around. Don't just take the first offer you get; shop around, and get auto insurance quotes from as many companies as you can. The more quotes you see, the more likely you are to find a great deal.

When shopping around for car insurance quotes, you could end up seeing widely varying numbers. Indeed different car insurance companies can charge you significantly different amounts. However, each company has their own system that they use when coming up with a quote. One might place more emphasis on the location of the client, for example, while another might think their credit rating is more important.

Even though different companies focus on different areas, the same basic factors are used to determine car insurance quotes. This includes the safety features in the car. Older cars are usually lacking in this department; new technology is added almost every year, making cars safer and safer. Here are some of the safety features that will help you see lower car insurance quotes.

Airbags. These days you'll see airbags in almost every new car, but that wasn't always the case. Even in the middle to late 1990's, there were still cars being produced without airbags. That means that if your car is an older model, it may be lacking this key safety feature. It's also not just the presence of airbags that makes a difference; the number and location also play a part. Some new vehicles are now being produced with up to nine airbags, but four is considered standard.

Anti-lock braking systems (ABS). This is another feature found in most new cars on the market. If you have to make a hard brake, your vehicle's ABS will keep your wheels from locking up. This makes it easier to control the car on difficult surfaces, and it lets you keep steering your car even after you slam on the brakes.

Electronic stability control (ESC). ESC works with the ABS to improve a vehicle's response to a situation. Basically, it is a computerized system that helps you keep control of the vehicle during high-speed turns, while driving on slippery surfaces, or when you suddenly need to brake or swerve. This is still quite a new technology; it didn't become mandatory in new vehicles until 2012. THis means that if your vehicle is more than a few years old, it probably does not have ESC.

Crumple zones. A crumple zone is a structural feature generally found in the front section of a vehicle. They are designed to absorb the energy of a collision, thus protecting the driver and passengers inside the car.

Buying a car with great safety features will certainly help you see lower car insurance quotes, but that's not the end of the story. Sure, it's nice to save money each month, but paying attention to the safety features when buying a car does much more than that; in the terrible case of disaster, these features can save your life.

Each year in the United States at least 43,000 people die due to injuries sustained in motor vehicle accidents, and almost 3 million people are injured. You hear about car accidents all the time, but that doesn't make it any easier when it happens to you.

If you got into a car accident, chances are you're pretty concerned about your insurance rates increasing. Even one accident can be enough to see higher auto insurance quotes, especially if it is determined that you were "at fault".

If you're never been in an accident before, you do have options. You might even be able to prevent an increase in your insurance. But it's important to note that this is generally only true for your first accident. If you've had several at-fault accidents recently-- for example, three in the past year-- your insurance is going to increase drastically. This cannot be avoided; you will be deemed a high-risk driver, and your payments will reflect that.

But if you're a first timer, you might get lucky.

Even if you weren't at fault, some insurance companies will try to raise your auto insurance. They will label you as a high-risk driver simply for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. If this happens to you, then it's time to start shopping around for some new auto insurance quotes.

If you were at fault, things get a bit more complicated. If you've been driving for many years and have a clean record, you might qualify for what is called "accident forgiveness." This means that the insurance company will not punish you for your first at-fault accident; it's a freebie! However, if you're lucky enough to qualify for such a service, you must be very careful from that point forward. If you get into a second accident your insurance company will recognize both that accident and the first one, and your payments will increase accordingly.

If you don't qualify for an accident forgiveness service, chances are your insurance will go up, at least a little bit. And, it will stay that way for a while; an accident can stay on your driving record for up to 10 years! That being said, don't let yourself be taken advantage of. Make sure you shop around and get multiple auto insurance quotes. One company might try to raise your rate by 40%, but if you go somewhere else, you might only see a 10% increase. Once you find a decent rate, pay it for a while then try again. As more accident-free months and years pass, insurance companies are more willing to lower your monthly payments.

Many collectors of antique or restored cars are paying way too much for their car insurance. However, there are a few tricks to saving on an insurance policy that's specifically designed to give coverage for these very special vehicles.

Standard Policy

Many collectible vehicles are covered by a standard insurance policy. This is often pretty inexpensive to do, since collectible cars are usually driven far less frequently than a primary vehicle. Since car insurance premiums are determined by a variety of factors, including the annual mileage you put on the vehicle, it costs much less to insure a car that's driven only rarely.

Another option with collectible classics is to change your coverage from full to basic liability. Again, the less your car is on the road in the first place, the less vulnerable it is to being involved in a traffic accident. This is true for most second vehicles, but is especially the case when talking about antiques or collectibles that are only driven once or twice a year, and mostly in parades or to a trade show for display.

Policies for Antiques

Although you can add your antique car to your regular insurance policy, this can end up being more expensive than buying a dedicated policy just for your collectible. Not only will a standard policy be more expensive, but it may not offer the right kind of protection that you need for a classic car.

Traditional insurance policies are based around the idea that a car's value will decrease with age and use. For regular cars, this is absolutely the case. However, a classic car will actually go up in value over time, particularly for owners who are restoring the vehicle from head to toe. If anything happens to the car you've put so much time and money into, you don't want the damages evaluated according to a depreciation price model.

Instead, a dedicated classic car insurance policy delivers very cheap car insurance quotes, while protecting the value of your investment. The insurance provider and policyholder come to an agreement on the vehicle's replacement value, based on an independent assessment and estimate from similar auctions or collector sales. Your policy will cover the loss of your car based on its estimated market value to other collectors, not based on depreciation.

Another reason cheap car insurance quotes for collectibles is possible is because of the way that most antiques are driven: rarely and cautiously. Hardly anyone spends the time and energy to restore a rare car and then goes out and drives it recklessly in heavy traffic. Antique insurance policies understand this, and even standard insurance providers will give you a rate a break if you're driving a collectible vehicle.

Even for classic car insurance, there are many discounts available for being a good driver and other desirable qualities. The most important key to making sure you get cheap auto insurance coverage is to comparison shop until you find the right level of coverage for the right price.

Have you ever considered getting home insurance quotes for your house? Well, if not then you certainly should because home insurance is a very useful financial instrument that can address a wide range of financial risks associated with your house. From damage caused by fire or plumbing problems to liability arising in cases of injuries in your house, home insurance is the thing that pays for everything. Sure, it's not mandatory as car insurance, and you can own a home without insuring it even a bit. But it's a matter of common sense and risk management that makes home insurance a must-have. And if you think that home insurance is expensive, it's not always the case, especially if you take measures to make your house less prone to any types of damage. With the following simple tips you will be able to get low home insurance quotes from most companies and reduce the costs of keeping your house covered properly.

As with all types of insurance, the cost of insuring your house is directly linked to the risks it faces. And if you take measures to reduce these risks you will be able to lower your home insurance quotes as well. So what are we talking about? Just think of the most common perils that a house may be subjected to: fire, storm damage, theft and electric appliance damage. These perils may seem unconnected but they all can be managed effectively by applying various measures. Let's take a step-by-step review of the perils and respective measures to see how these may help you get low home insurance quotes.

Fire damage is considered as one of the most dangerous perils a house may face. It may take just a minute for a house to burn down and you never know what may set off the initial spark or flare. It is reported that most fires actually start when there's no one at home. So you may lose all your belongings in just a matter of minutes without even knowing it. The most effective ways to address the fire damage peril is installing smoke detectors, fire alarms and extinguishing systems. Sure, in some cases that will cost you, but in return you get a degree of protection against fire damage. And what's more important, by having these measures in place you can also opt for more affordable home insurance quotes, since the insurer will always appreciate the effort.

Storm damage often comes in the form of leaking roofs and broken windows, which become particularly dangerous during a severe windstorm or rain. Of course, not always do people have the possibility to build sturdy houses using ultra-durable materials. But maintaining your house on a regular basis is your responsibility. And if you keep track of the maintenance works and will be able to provide evidence of those when opting for home insurance quotes it will be much easier to reduce the costs of covering your house.

Theft may be a problem in some areas, especially in large urban areas with high crime rates. Of course, it may be not as devastating as fire or flood, but the financial and emotional impact can be considerable. That's why insurers insist on improving the security of own house if you want to get lower home insurance quotes. You can start by installing better locks and enforcing your windows, which will make it harder for the burglar to get inside. And by installing motion detectors and surveillance systems you will further increase the discount you will get with home insurance quotes while making your house more secure.

As for electric appliance damage, it's usually a matter of correct circuitry within the house. If there's some damage to the wiring or it was made with errors during the construction of your house there's a risk of short circuit that may destroy your appliances (including TVs, computers, fridges and so on) or even set off a fire. That's why it is very important to check the state of your home circuitry and have it documented if you want to get lower home insurance quotes.

Smoking is a bad habit and this is something that many of us have heard or read about a thousand times before. Smoking kills, as many a public service ad has said but according to statistics, there are over 45 million people in the United States ages 18 years and older who smoke cigarettes 21.5% of this number are male smokers and 17.3% belong to the female population.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the US says that cigarette smoking causes around 440, 000 deaths annually making the bad habit the most frequent cause of deaths that could be prevented in the United States. Smoking can also contribute to erectile dysfunction and this can appear when the man has reached his 40s. Because of this, these men will later on have to rely on erectile dysfunction drugs to be able to perform in bed. While experts say that quitting will help these men get their groove back in terms of their sexual performance, it is highly unlikely for the lot of them to quit smoking.

For smokers taking the erectile dysfunction medication Levitra (Vardenafil), this is a major concern. If you smoke you shouldn't fail to inform your doctor because there are major risks that should be taken into consideration.

Levitra of course is a safe medication for men with ED but like any other drug of this nature and other drugs in general, there are some contraindications that can either cause harm to the user or lessen the effects or benefits of the medication. Smoking for example will lessen the effectiveness of the drug because smoking works against the processes that the drug does.

The US Food and Drug Administration has warned users of the drugs for erectile dysfunction about possible side effects but the agency is most concerned about the possibility of losing one's vision because of using the drug. It has been found in a number of cases in the US that PDE5 inhibitors such as Vardenafil can cause vision loss. This particular condition is called non-arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) caused by blocked blood flow towards the eyes. The US FDA says that those who are at risk of experiencing NAION are men who smoke.

Those who have heart conditions, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and those with eye problems are advised to not take Levitra or any erectile dysfunction medication. Men who are age 50 and above should also refrain from taking the drug.

Like any prescription drug, Vardenafil should only be taken after a deep discussion with your doctor especially for men who belong to a high risk group. While vision loss is something that some people take lightly because they think that it comes with age, men taking any type of erectile dysfunction drug should see a doctor as soon as possible if they experience vision loss.

Well, the roots of the name as applied here start during World War II with the very first computer used for code-breaking named Colossus after one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. We then move forward to 1965 when D F Jones published a science fiction novel about a computer taking over the world. A few years later in 1970, the movie industry jumped on the bandwagon and filmed the book (or at least took the idea from the book and made a movie about a supercomputer first dominating the US and Russia, and then exercising control over the world. The movie is famous for its last line which is that "...freedom is just an illusion." Well this is an example of reality following science fiction predictions with a sense of irony. Go back twenty years and you find small armies of human actuaries slaving away to calculate the risk of anyone making a claim for losses suffered. Once the rates had been set, another army of humans took to the field as claims adjusters. These humans did something that was unthinkable and met with those claiming, worked out a value for their claims and then sent their regional offices a recommended settlement figure.

Labor is usually the most expensive element in any industry's cost profile. In a service industry, it's always the biggest cost. So with the arrival of ever more reliable computers, the insurance industry set out to make as many human beings as possible redundant. After all, when you are handling trillions of dollars, the last thing you want to do is pay a math geniuses to calculate risks and few hundred humans to talk to the claimants. Now we have scoring models that use "secret" algorithms to estimate when policyholders are likely to file claims, and programs to manage claims. The head office now sets the profit target for the insurer by adjusting the percentage payable on claims. So how does this work?

Every activity that a business carries out is broken down into an average cost from the data that has been collected by the insurance industry. So if you have a traffic accident driving a particular make and model, the computer will know how much it costs to repair state by state. If you have a business interruption, the computer will also know what the average settlement is for a business of your type with a turnover close to yours.

These figures were all relevant in setting the premium rates, i.e. the estimated cost of all the losses was divided between all the insured. But suppose the computer instructed claims adjusters to settle at figures representing only 80% of those estimated figures. This would pay you less and generate immense profits for the insurer. At a time when business insurance rates have been rising faster than inflation, it's disconcerting to hear of the power exercised through the new Colossus. Yet this is reality. Claims are being squeezed while business insurance rates rise. In this case, it's the insurance industry that's coming into control of the world.

There you are, sitting comfortably behind the wheel, driving through the countryside as evening turns into night. You're probably thinking of putting your feet up when you get to your destination. Perhaps there's a bottle of beer or a glass of wine with your name on it. Then, in one of those heart-stopping moments, the headlights suddenly show you a deer in your path. It's one of these handsome beasts, big with antlers.

Unfortunately it's not moving out of your way and, in your heart you know it's got real mass. If you hit it head-on, there's going to be a lot of damage to the deer, to the vehicle and possibly to you. So you do your best to steer away. The majority of drivers do swerve round without anything more than an acute nervous reaction. Some vehicles roll over. This is a problem in vehicles with a higher center of gravity. Some hit trees or other stationary targets off the road. These crashes get messy.

The Highway Administration collects statistics on deer-related accidents and the trend is upward. Although many states have a herd management policy in place, controlling numbers is not an exact science, and numbers seem to have been rising steadily. Despite more signs going up to warn drivers in areas where there are herds, accident claims have been rising. Coming into Fall, this is one of the two times in the year when herds move around more. It's one of these migration patterns sparked by the reproduction cycle and, at this time of year, it reaches its peak in November. As the dinosaur movies say, nature finds a way.

You should keep a proper lookout when the risk is at its highest, between 6 and 9, if you want to avoid becoming a statistic and also if you want to prevent your own auto insurance costs from spiralling after a crash. This means having your headlights on high beam whenever possible and driving within the limits of what you can see. If you arrive safely, you earned that beer or glass of wine and can confidently wait for lower auto insurance quotes at renewal time.